Sophomore golfer Michael Quallich has made it back to the WPIAL individual finals for the second year in a row.

In the first round of WPIAL finals on Tuesday, Quallich played almost flawlessly with his irons, he said.

“My irons and course management was about as good as it will get for me. I didn’t miss many greens and stayed composed throughout the entirety of the round,” Quallich said.

This was Quallich’s second year at WPIALs, and he said that being experienced helped.

“I took advantage of opportunities and stayed focused the entire time,” Quallich said.

Quallich said he still has some holes to patch up before WPIAL finals.

“I need to make up some strokes on the green. I can’t miss putts that I usually make,” Quallich said.

Last year, Quallich did well enough at WPIAL finals to reach states. This year, his goals are simple but big.

“I want to win WPIALs and make it back to states,” he said.

Junior Mack Dempsey also competed in the first round for the Highlanders, but he did not qualify for the finals. He hopes to get inspiration for the future from his participation in the first round.

“I am happy for Mike, but I want to be there in the finals with him next year,” Dempsey said.

Despite not qualifying, Dempsey still saw some good aspects of his game.

“I was solid off the tee. My irons were also consistent and I was finding greens,” Dempsey said.

Baldwin Athletic Director Tony Cherico praised both Quallich and Dempsey.

“Michael had a great round,” Cherico said. “He ended up second in the first round with a score of a plus two. Mack didn’t fare as well as he would have wanted, but Mack had a really great year and it was an honor for him to make it to the first round.”

Cherico praised Quallich for making WPIAL finals for the second straight year.

“It is really exciting. Michael has worked very hard in the weight room as well as on the golf course to get back to this point,” Cherico said.

The WPIAL individual finals take place on Tuesday at Oakmont Country Club.